Improvement in stretcher-frames



J. H. WITT.

STRETCHER-F-RAME.

Patented J'u ng 19, 1877.

N. PETERS. PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER, WASNMGTO FICE.

JOHN H. WITT, on COLUMBUS, 01110.

IMPROVEMENT lN STRETCHER-FRAMES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 192,319, dated June 19,1877 application filed April 21,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. WITT, of Columbus, in 'the county ofFranklin and State of Ohio,have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Stretcher-Frames, of which the following is aspecification Figure l is a perspective, showing a corner or miter jointwith portions broken away, and a joint at the brace. Fig. 2 is atop-plan view illustrating more fully the same points. Fig. 3 is a sideview on line a; as of Fig. 2, showing the incline of the sides of theframe orstretcher produced by the bevel of the miter-joint in itsrelations to the canvas. Fig. 4 is a detail, to show the brace-joint ofFig. 1, adapted as well to the corner or miter joint.

The object of the present invention is to provide a cheaperstretcher-frame for pictures than is now made by the usual method ofconstruction for that and like purposes; and con sists, moreparticularly, in such construction of the joints that a stronger andeasily-adapted stretcher-frame can be readily made, and in a simple andeconomical manner, all as will now be more in detail set out andexplained.

In the accompanying drawings, A denotes the usual side strips of astretcher or frame adapted to any ordinary or usual use, and now shownas more particularly related to a pictare-stretcher.

These pieces are made of like depth and width throughout, hereinconsisting one chief characteristic of my invention, as will presentlybe more fully explained.

The corner or miter joint B is made by cutting the contiguous ends ofstrips A, not only so as to form a miter when abutted, but by so formingthe faces of the angle on each with a vertical bevel or incline, thatwhen thus abutted or. placed in usual position or relation to each otherto form a miter-joint, the said strips A shall have an upward or outwardincline on their inner edges, as now shown at a of Fig. 3.

The object of this construction is to prevent the said inner edges ofthe stretcherframe from coming in contact with the canvas when itis'stretched over the frame. As now illustrated in Fig.3, the canvaswill come over the outer edge a, where it binds close upon the frame orstretcher; but at a there will be left such a clear space between saidinside edge and the canvas, caused by the bevel of the frame orstretcher joint as above, that the canvas cannot, under any ordinaryconditions of use, be brought against this inner edge. Heretofore, thisend has been gained by using stufi for the frame-stretcher sides planedor beveled along its whole upper face-a plan of construction demandingmuch more time and labor than are required in the construction of myframe or stretcher as above explained.

When the corners have been thus prepared and placed together they areofi'ered to a jig-' saw, and a slot, B, is out, which in size and shapeis adapted to hold the metal strip 0. This may be triangular, and fillthe entire cavity, or have its upper angle removed, as at O but anyshape will answer, so long as the strip rests easily and closely in theslot and holds the corners together to prevent any springing of the sidepieces.

It will be observed that these pieces can be readily cut out of theordinary sheet metal, and are flat and comparatively smooth on bothsides-that is, without protuberance on either face, and thus are easilymade, and can be readily adapted in the aforesaid slot.

When, now, the four pieces have been put in position, their cornersproperly made as above explained, and the canvas has been stretched overthe frame-stretcher, it is only necessary, when desired to draw thecanvas tight upon the stretcher-frame, to place the wedges D, which areof the ordinary shape and construction, in'the several joints, and thuskey up the frame to any desired strain or tension, and draw the canvasevenly and smoothly across the face.

For stretcher-frames of any ordinary size, or for portraits of usualsize, and landscapes, the construction already explained will be allthat is needed; but if a very large stretcherframe is needed, whereinterior braces are required, I adopt such a joint as is shown in Fig. 2to unite the brace and sides of the frame. The brace E buts against thesaid sides, as usual, and, if desired, another brace may be placed fromthe upper to the lower side, so as to cross this brace E at the middleat right angles to it, the ends of said crossas guides or holders forthe metal strip 6.

piece at the points of contact with the side pieces being adaptedthereto in like manner as'the ends of the brace E. Inthe'sidesA andbrace E are inserted staples ff, which serve These are driven down uponsaid strips sutficiently close and tight tovhold them well in place, andyet allow lateral motion as the wedges D are driven in to key up thestretch or or frame.

The construction as above explained will answer the required endsexcellently well; but, if desired, the miter-joint at the corners may bemade in substantially the same manner as that above described for thejoint of the brace. This method I have now illustrated in Fig. 1, wherethe metal strip-e is secured by staples ff to the contiguous ends ofsides A, so as to allow sufficient movement of said sides at this point,and yet hold them quite as firmly as can be done by the metal strip inthe slot cut in the corner.

Having thus described my invention, what I consider new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stretcher-frame, the miter-jointB, having the abutting faces ofthe strips A cut with a vertical bevel or incline, substantially as andfor the purposes described.

2. In a stretcherframe, A A, the miterjoint B, formed as described,combined with metal strips e. and staples f f, substantially asdescribed.

of two witnesses.

, JOHN H. WITT. Witnesses:

THOMAS C. 'GONNOLLY, M. BAILEY.

